NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has assented to the Persons with Disabilities Bill 2025, terming it a progressive law that guarantees the rights of PWDs to education, employment, healthcare, political participation, and access to buildings and public spaces.
During the event at State House, Nairobi, on the morning of Thursday, May 8, 2025, the head of state said that his administration is committed to upholding the dignity and rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the country.
“By strengthening our legal frameworks, we are dismantling the systemic obstacles that have long excluded them from vital services and opportunities,” said President Ruto.
The head of state observed that PWDs constitute a significant segment of Kenya’s population.
According to the 2019 National Housing and Population Census, the number of individuals with disabilities above the age of five stood at just under 1 million of Kenya’s population.
This morning, alongside my Senate counterpart, Rt. Hon. Amason Kingi, we witnessed H.E. President William Ruto assent to the Persons with Disabilities Bill, sponsored by nominated Senator Crystal Asige.This landmark legislation is a bold step toward promoting the rights and
While globally, it is estimated that they represent 15% of the world’s population.
“Although this group forms a critical part of every nation’s demographic, they continue to face systematic barriers including challenges of accessing education, healthcare, employment, and basic public services,” lamented President Ruto.
How systematic barriers affect PWDs in Kenya
Some of these hurdles, the president noted, are rooted in cultural, social, and political systems.
He said that others stem from institutional and attitudinal barriers that lead to exclusion and unequal access to opportunities.
“Assenting to the Persons with Disabilities Bill into law, it concludes the long journey of repealing the Persons with Disabilities Act No. 14 of 2003 and marks the beginning of a vital journey towards promoting and safeguarding the rights of citizens living with disability,” added the president.
I have sat in rooms where no one saw me. I’ve spoken when no one bothered to listen. And still I kept going. Now my Persons with Disabilities Bill is an Act of Parliament!Being there, when the President turned my ‘Bill’ into an Act by the stamp of his seal meant a lot — not
According to the head of state, this law is both progressive in growth and progressive in vision.
“It affirms the rights of people with disabilities to access education, healthcare, political participation, and access to buildings and built environments. It also mandates stronger mechanisms, clear accountability, and enhances representation of persons with disabilities in both national and county governance structures,” explained President Ruto.
Beyond giving full expression to Article 54 of the Constitution, the highlights in the new framework include a new restructured council for persons with disabilities, devolution of functions related to persons living with disabilities, recognition and support for carers, greater access to justice and enhanced legal framework, respect for persons living with disabilities, and robust economic safeguards.
This includes exemptions and incentive benefits for persons living with disabilities to foster greater economic and financial resilience and mitigate vulnerability.
Why will the provisions of this law be translated
Additionally, the law fortifies the legal framework protecting the rights of people living with disabilities by offering clear descriptions, protecting them against discrimination, and mandating the implementation of affirmative action measures across various sectors.
“With the signing of this law, the real work now begins. Its full promise cannot be recognised by the National Council of Persons Living with Disabilities or the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection alone. It will require national action by all stakeholders, including national and county governments, legislators, civil society, the private sector, and all Kenyans of goodwill,” he said.
President Ruto also assured Kenyans that his administration is fully committed to translating the provisions of this law into improvements in the lives and welfare of persons living with disabilities.
“As part of our efforts to strengthen disability inclusion in the public sector, I direct the public service performance management unit of the Public Service Commission (PSC) to reinstate the disability mainstreaming performance indicator in public service contracts,” said the president.
We are committed to upholding the dignity and rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in our country. By strengthening our legal frameworks, we are dismantling the systemic obstacles that have long excluded them from vital services and opportunities.At State House Nairobi,
This indicator, according to President Ruto, is crucial for evaluating and holding institutions accountable for inclusivity, making Disability Mainstreaming Performance a measurable and essential component of institutional performance.
“Let me convey my gratitude to nominated senator Crystal Asige by congratulating you as you have done the best for the people living with disability in Kenya, for the people of Kenya, and humanity,” added the head of state.
Also signed into law the County Governments Additional Allocation Bill, 2025, which provides more funding to counties to promote equitable resource distribution and enhance devolved service delivery.
